Whether you prefer to get your discus fish from a private breeder or from the wilds of the Amazon River basin, they will still be the eye-popping legends of your freshwater fish tank.
Any time someone sees a discus tank for the first time, the response is almost identical. They stop dead in their tracks and begin to ask questions about the colorful fish in the aquarium.
The first incorrect assumption that many observers make is that the aquarium is a saltwater tank. This is because of the really bright colors and patterns of discus fish, quite different from most freshwater fish.
There are now so many varieties of this species of fish that one would not be able to guess that there are only four species of wild discus fish. (Well, the truth is there may be yet another species that is being considered now by scientists).
Wild discus fish call the Amazon River home. You know, the world's longest river. That is the only place you will find discus spawning naturally. And each species is unique to a certain area of the Amazon. They do not share habitats for the most part.
The types of wild discus fish are fairly uncomplicated. Of course, they have scientific names, but it's much easier to call them Brown, Blue, Green, or Heckel. How the Heckel got in there with those simple colors... ?
Well, actually, the Heckel could have a color name, too. They are either red or blue in color. You can tell if it's a Heckel by the prominent darker stripe every fifth stripe along the body.
Discus fish are a prized possession. Many folks want them for their aquariums. They are so pretty that many folks want to have them around all the time. It is extremely relaxing to watch fish do their thing in your home aquarium.
This great demand for discus fish has created the need for many breeders to begin 'discus farms' all over the world, literally. In addition to breeding 'natural' discus fish, the breeders have been using scientific techniques to develop new strains of discus. These new fish are sporting more vibrant colors and patterns.
Sometimes the colors are solid, as in the Golden Discus. This fish is a solid striking yellow color, one that you would definitely not see in the wild.
Then there are patterns called Leopard and Snakeskin and Leopard Snakeskin, each of which has a different color and/or pattern. One thing remains the same, though. It's the round, thin body style that is typical of discus fish.
So, which is better, the ones bred in captivity or the ones born in the wild? Consider two things.
First, wild discus fish come from a totally different habitat than their domestic cousins. You have the clear, clean water of the breeders vs the muddy, murky water of the Amazon River. The requirements of the aquarium vary, depending on the origination of the discus fish that live in it.
Second, fish from dependable breeders are used to the type of environment that you will probably supply for them, and they are more likely to be healthy coming from a controlled tank (remember, the key is getting them from 'reliable' breeders - know where your fish are coming from).
Finding the most desirable variety of aquarium fish for you is really a matter of personal preference and personal education. If you are not yet an owner, but you are in the investigation stages before tank setup, make sure you do some serious research before you throw a bunch of cash into a tank and fish that you don't know how to care for. You might want to check websites that are dedicated to getting you the best start possible.
Wayne Rasku is the owner of www.livediscusfish.com, where the goal is to provide excellent information and resources for those interested in keeping discus fish.
In particular, check out the types of Discus Fish HERE.
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